Saturday, April 19, 2014

Last Saturday Lyla woke up to sunshine. This is a rare thing in Seattle.
She said "Mama, I want to do something in the sun, like it's summer!"
I said "sure thing!"

Lyla: "Well what about a Lemonade stand?"
Me: "Sure!!! That sounds great!"
Lyla: "And mama... we can sell it, and give the money to kitties that don't have homes."
Me: "That's a great idea sweetie!"

I love Lyla. She's so sweet, caring and really wants to help.
Her Lemonade stand was a success!
She raised $47.
All proceeds donated to a local cat rescue organization that she cares for deeply.
Nancy, owner of The Whole Cat has encouraged and supported Lyla's love of cats for the past year. Lyla goes to her store to play the cats and do her "volunteer" work weekly if she can.
Nancy has cats boarded and also takes in cats that do not have a home. Lyla is constantly expressing her concern for all the kitties in the world that don't have homes.

Her proudest moment was when the Kirkland Police officer stopped by. He made her day. He had a conversation with her about why she was doing this and how he thought it was a great idea. She was so proud! (So was I)

Lyla loves animals, trees and all living things.
She has always been very connected to animals and nature.
When she was little she would pick up dead branches and try to re-attach them to the trees.
She would, and still gets upset when she sees bulldozers taking down trees. She thinks it's unfair.

She's pretty darn caring if you ask me.

After we got home and unpacked Lyla informed me that for her next stand she would like to donate all money to Chamalaka.
Chamalaka is our World Vision sponsored child. We have been supporting her for four years and she and Lyla share a major date in common, their birthday.

I think Lyla's Lemonade is a hit!
Let's see where this can take her and the world that she loves dearly.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Dear Blog,
It's been a while since we shared time together.
Many things have happened.
I've had many laughs, tears, struggles and accomplishments.
Lyla has grown.
My husband has remained our rock.
Life is good.

Welcome back into my life.
I will try to embrace you more.

I often find myself driving down the road thinking "I should write about that..."

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

We've had one sick girl on our hands lately!
I'm not joking when I say that she's been sick since September, she really has.
After many Doctors visits, three ER visits and more than 150 nights of interrupted choking, snoring, tossing and turning nights we have found out that Lyla will most likey need surgery to have her adenoids removed.
The above collage depicts a family full of smiles and laughter. We are definitely that, but I can add that the night prior to this I picked Lyla up from school and was vomited on numerous times.
Sometimes looks can be deceiving.
We still smile and we still have fun.
As the Fulton family, we don't want to be stopped!

Many thanks to all those that have helped us during Lyla's rough patch.
We are anxiously looking forward to her feeling better and being a "healthy, happy" three year old girl~!
By the way... have you ever been deprived of sleep for three years? I can't imagine how Lyla feels but I can tell you it's been hard on all of us.
Lack of sleep really puts a toll on the brain cells, I'm eagerly trying to accumulate those back again.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

In our home we pray.
We try our best to make it to church and praise the lord.
We try, and when we can't be there in person we are there in our hearts.
In our home we pray to be loving, kind, sweet and empathetic.

Sweetie

Lyla prays at night and her prayer last night was sweet.

Lyla: DEAR GOD...(brushes hair off face) If you're interested.... if you are.... I can make you a present, one that you would never give away. If you're interested. I love you GOD.

Good night.

I'm interested! Are you??

On a separate note, Lyla has been going through a bit of separation anxiety with school.
She does not want me to drop her off. She would rather be at home with me playing, cooking, and painting our nails. Unfortunately, I can't do that when I need to be at work.
This has put a major strain on me emotionally.
She cries (I'm talking the loud, snot dropping, tears everywhere, hair pulling cry).
By the time I walk out of that preschool I'm a mess.
She's a mess.
Now, I'm crying....
So each night I pray that it gets better.

Today Jason brought her blanket and teddy bear with her.
He's a firm believer in the "Drop and run" method that he's created.
For some reason that doesn't work for me as I can't run from my tearful little ball of joy (and snot).

If you've experienced this, does it end?
I'll keep it in my prayers tonight.

Monday, March 18, 2013

"Mom, Why do you love me so much?"
Lyla asked me this morning.
Oh... I could go on for hours and hours.
Instead I said:"Because you're my girl. I grew you in my tummy and you are me and daddy in one little pretty thing and I love you all the way to the moon and back."

She threw her arms and, kissed me and said:

"YOU'RE THE BEST!"
Now, every day isn't simply this sweet but today was!

Who do you love to the moon and back?

Tell them today to make someone warm and fuzzy inside. It's a good feeling.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

This is what matters.
My little one smiling.
My hubby happy and content.
Me adoring my little one and hubby.

My family, it's small, it's mine, it's life.

I'm taking some time during this dreary winter rainy Seattle season to focus.
Focus on myself for once, and only take it one day at a time.

For a living, I give to others, I take care of others.
It's part of my natural personality and now is time to give to myself.

I've de-activated Facebook for a bit.
Time to stop reading other's life stories and focus on mine.
It may sound selfish, but it's what I've got to do.

I've got so many positive amazing things in my life and lots to look forward to this upcoming year.
This month has started out right with Jason's blood work levels coming down to near normal.
After six months of Chinese herbal medicine it's the only thing that has worked.

Do you focus on yourself ever?
Do you sometimes get too carried away with stress that is handed to us daily?
Sometimes we all need a little mini me-vacation.

I think 33 may be the age of my first mini-me-crisis so I'm stepping in and taking control.
Here's a little quote from a blogger that I love to learn life lessons from.